Housing Allowance

At University of Maryland University College, we can help you determine
how your class schedule and the type of classes you're taking affect the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' calculation for your housing
allowance.

Factors that Affect Your Housing Allowance

Under the Post‐9/11 GI Bill, your housing allowance is based on your eligibility percentage; whether you take online, on-site or hybrid courses; where your on-site or hybrid courses meet; and your rate of pursuit, which is calculated based on the number of credits you take. To be eligible for housing allowance, you must be enrolled at a 60 percent rate of pursuit or greater.

Balancing Your Courseload

UMUC offers multiple start dates that provide you with the opportunity to accelerate a degree path without an overly ambitious schedule of classes. If you plan to enroll full-time (100 percent rate of pursuit) you typically take two courses during two separate eight-week sessions in the fall and spring terms.

By taking these classes in Session 1 and Session 4, you are enrolled in only two courses at a time with a one-week break between each session for a total of at least 12 credits.

The summer requires a somewhat more rigorous academic schedule. If you want to continue to enroll at 100 percent rate of pursuit during the summer you should consider enrolling in two courses in Session 1 and two courses in Session 3 for a total of at least 12 credits. Keep in mind that Session 1 and Session 3 overlap for about a month, so you must be prepared to balance four courses at once.

Choosing Your Courses: Online, On-Site, or Hybrid

The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides students enrolled exclusively in online courses (no on-site classroom instruction) with a housing allowance that is set at half the national average Basic Allowance for Housing, or BAH, rates for an E-5 with dependents. The 2014 allowance for online students who attend full-time at a 100 percent rate of pursuit is $754.40.

If you prefer the flexibility of online and classroom instruction, you can take classes at one of our 20+ locations in the Maryland, D.C., and Virginia region, as well as on-site at select military installations both in the U.S. and overseas. These on-site courses count toward eligibility for the full BAH rate. Many of these approved classroom courses are delivered in a hybrid format where students are only required to attend one day per week.

If You Enroll in Another School While Studying at UMUC

At least two to four weeks before your semester starts, you will want to work with your veterans advisor to get a Letter of Permission granting approval for the courses you plan to take at another school. The Letter of Permission verifies the courses you're taking will satisfy degree requirements and be accepted for transfer credit after they're successfully completed.

Undergraduate Rate of Pursuit (for 8-week sessions)

3 credits = 60 percent rate of pursuit

4 credits = 80 percent rate of pursuit

5 credits = 90 percent rate of pursuit

6 credits = 100 percent rate of pursuit

Graduate Rate of Pursuit (for 12-week sessions)

3 credits = 80 percent rate of pursuit

6 credits = 100 percent rate of pursuit

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20+ Locations in the D.C. Region

UMUC has more than 20 classroom locations in Maryland, D.C., and Virginia to make it even easier for you to attend convenient on-site and hybrid classes.

Veterans Can Earn a Bachelor's Faster

Did you know you may be able to receive transfer credits for your military experience? Our flexible transfer policy gives you several ways to get credit for what you’ve already learned, so you can earn your degree faster.

"I'm a veteran myself. Helping military servicemembers, veterans, and their families is near and dear to my heart. I really enjoy my job."